Ang supposed event na ‘yon had a good number of attendees, but it was no match to her meet-the-press nu’ng kasagsagan ng kampanya at Mother Lily’s Imperial Suites. Kung hindi kami nagkakamali, si Grace ang nag-buena mano among all the senatoriables for whom the Regal Films producer hosted and sponsored the event.

Sa naturang presscon, the whole of the hotel mezzanine seemed like a box-office sight. Dalawang buffet tables were set up on opposite sides, as opposed to this Saturday luncheon event which was held at Victorino’s that looks like an old-rich residence transformed into a resto. It’s three or so times smaller and more cramped in size, not enough to accommodate the number of reporters who showed up nu’ng unang makaharap ang noo’y kumakandidato pa lang sa Senado.

FPJ’s daughter made it, after all. If she had the grandest of presscons at Imperial, that was certainly because she was wooing votes to her favour sa pamamagitan ng mga manunulat whose columns were favourably written about her.

But because she already won—and placing FIRST, to top it all—who needed additional reporters kesehodang most of them had been invited to the Imperial event for some editorial help?

We have nothing personal against the lady senator. In fact, she topped our list nu’ng eleksiyon dahil may sampalataya kami sa kanyang kakayahan. The danger though lies in some people who surround her, people who do not look back over their shoulders para maisip na ang mga nakatulong kahit paano sa kandidatura ni Grace are the ones being left in the cold.

Gov. Vi, magaling lang daw ‘pag may magandang script

DEKADA SITENTA pa when the arch rivalry between Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos, Vilma Santos and Nora Aunor began. It reached its fever pitch during the 80s up to the 90s when both of them started doing more mature movies that made them the strongest contenders in the Best Actress category in every award-giving body.

Kung tutuusin, the movie queens who came before them are no longer in competition. Kalabisan ding sabihin that the ones who succeeded Ate Vi and Ate Guy, Ate Guy and Ate Vi did not and no longer bask in as much glory tulad ng tinatamasa nila even to this day.

But competition has to be healthy, pero sa aming personal na pananaw, let the competitive spirit prevail between and among the younger batch of stars who have to prove their two cents’ worth in the business. Hindi ang mga tulad nina Vilma at Nora—sa panahong ito when so much has evolved and is still evolving in their respective lives—should still be the objects of comparison.

If Ate Guy’s Thy Womb made it internationally, masayang balita ito para sa bayan. And if Ate Vi’s Ekstra, her first indie film ever, simply made it here, let it be a resounding triumph para sa industriya ng low-budget yet quality films.

But Era learns her lesson when a fairy godmother punishes her. Sa tuwing magsasalita siya ng foul, nagluluwa siya ng mga palaka (echosera naman?). Her mom refuses to own up to how she has brought up her daughter, kaya pati siya naparusahan din. Not only do they spit frogs, nilagyan din ng zipper at lock ang kanilang mga bibig.